The air was thick with tension as Akira entered the King’s throne room, his mind racing with the implications of what was about to happen. His fists clenched at his sides, but he knew he had to maintain his composure. The fate of his future, and perhaps the truth of his character, hung in the balance.

  The massive golden doors swung open, and Akira stepped into the grand hall, his presence immediately felt by the nobles, clergy, and the high-ranking officials seated around the throne. The King sat atop a high dais, his regal expression unwavering. The room was silent, the weight of judgment heavier than any sword Akira had ever wielded.

  Akira knelt before the King, his head bowed in respect. But his heart was heavy, knowing the injustices being falsely pressed against him.

  The King’s voice cut through the silence, booming with authority. “Akira Azami, I am so very disappointed in you. I hear word from my beloved daughter that you assaulted her and made unwanted advances. How could you, a foreigner, have the gall to harm royalty?”

  The room erupted with gasps of shock. The nobles exchanged glances, and even the high members of the Catholic church murmured in disgust. Akira felt his blood boil, but he forced himself to stay calm.

  “She’s full of it, King!” Akira shouted, rising to his feet. The room fell silent at his outburst. “I caught her assaulting a goblin child, and I intervened. I never assaulted her. I would never do that!”

  The King’s face twisted into a scowl. “How dare you lie to me, boy! My daughter came home last night with bruises and welts all over her body. Our best healers spent hours removing her wounds. I should kill you with my own two hands for what you’ve done.”

  Akira’s chest heaved in anger, his voice shaking as he retorted, “King, I didn’t do it! You have to believe me! This is bullshit! I was protecting one of your citizens from your monster of a daughter! She’s the assaulter, not me.”

  A deadly silence fell over the room. The King’s eyes narrowed as he locked gazes with Akira.

  “Enough of this,” the King said, his voice cold. “Do you have any proof of this?”

  Akira gritted his teeth. “Ask the guards who weren’t on post!” he cried. “They saw everything! They know what happened!”

  The King raised an eyebrow. “We already spoke with the guards. And they say you attacked them first and dragged my daughter into an alley, you monster.”

  Akira’s mind raced. They set me up. I didn’t do it. This isn’t right. I just wanted to help. I don’t deserve this. But he couldn’t back down. He couldn’t let his words go unheard. He needed to tell the truth.

  “King, please!” Akira begged, his voice desperate. “You have to believe me! I brought the goblin who was being assaulted by her!”

  The King paused for a moment, before giving a reluctant nod. “Fine. Bring him in.”

  The doors to the hall opened, and Akira’s heart raced as the goblin child from the alley was brought forward by the guards. The small creature was still visibly shaken but alive, and he looked up at Akira with gratitude in his eyes.

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  “Hello, sir,” the goblin said softly, his voice trembling. “I—I was the goblin she assaulted.”

  Akira breathed a sigh of relief. “You see, I’m innocent!”

  But before anyone could react, Rina’s voice cut through the tension. “Father, you know how strong he is. He must have used some sort of mind control spell on that poor, innocent goblin.”

  The King’s gaze shifted to Rina, and for a moment, he seemed unsure. But then he frowned. “That type of dark magic is forbidden in the Kingdom of Elyndor,” he stated firmly. “This is no spell.”

  But the nobles and members of the church were not convinced. They exchanged whispers, and a few voices began to rise in outrage.

  “He must have used dark magic to manipulate the child,” one noble said. “Clearly, he’s dangerous. We cannot allow him to go free.”

  “No, I’m telling the truth!” Akira shouted. “I don’t possess dark magic! I’m a lawful guy! I just wanted to protect that goblin! And your devil of a daughter tried to kill him over a misunderstanding!”

  The room erupted in gasps of shock and outrage. The King’s face twisted into a mask of fury, and his next words were final.

  “Enough of this. As the 56th King of the Kingdom of Fendros, I hereby sentence you to exile. You have 24 hours to leave this kingdom.”

  Akira’s heart sank as the words echoed in the chamber. Rina, standing beside her father, looked satisfied, her lips curled into a smug smirk.

  “Father, what are you doing?” she protested, her voice filled with fake concern. “He assaulted me and uses dark magic! He should be put to death, not exiled.”

  The King shook his head, his voice firm. “He will not die in this kingdom. His punishment is exile.”

  Akira stared at the King, disbelief and anger swirling within him. “This is bullshit!”

  “Enough!” the King shouted. “You are to leave at once. You are no longer welcome in Fendros.”

  Rina’s eyes sparkled with malicious glee as Akira was escorted from the throne room.

  At the Village Gates

  The guards roughly shoved Akira out of the castle’s gates, the heavy wooden doors closing behind him with an echo that rang in his ears.

  Akira stood in the unfamiliar land, alone. He turned to see Ren hurrying toward him, his expression worried.

  “Akira, you can’t just leave!” Ren said, his voice shaking. “Let me come with you! I won’t leave you alone.”

  Akira held up his hand, shaking his head. “No, Ren. Stay here. Become a great hunter. I’ll meet up with you again, but for now, I need to get stronger and take revenge on my own. I can’t drag you into this.”

  Ren froze, his expression torn. “But Akira, I—”

  “Please, Ren,” Akira said softly, his tone firm. “Let me do this alone. For now, this is something I have to do.”

  Ren hesitated, his fists clenched at his sides. After a long silence, he sighed. “Fine. But don’t forget about me, alright?”

  Akira chuckled, patting Ren on the shoulder. “I won’t. I’ll never forget you, Ren. You’re my friend.”

  And with that, Akira turned and walked away, the distant sound of the gates behind him as he ventured out into the unknown.

  A Final Moment

  As Akira walked further from the gates, the goblin child approached him, looking up with a sorrowful expression.

  “I... I’m sorry,” the goblin said, his voice soft. “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t—”

  Akira kneeled down and placed a hand on the goblin’s small shoulder. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.” He gave a small, reassuring smile. “It’s not your fault, little one. You’re safe now.”

  The goblin looked up at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. “Could... could I pray for you? For your safe travels?”

  Akira blinked, surprised by the gesture. He was a bit confused but grateful for the goblin’s kindness. “You want to pray for me?” Akira asked with a soft chuckle.

  The goblin nodded eagerly, and Akira, feeling warmth in his heart, agreed. “Alright, little one. I’ll accept your prayer.”

  With that, the goblin clasped his hands together, muttering a quiet prayer for Akira’s safety. When the prayer ended, Akira smiled down at him.

  Reaching his hand out, he offered a fist bump. “Take care, alright?”

  The goblin’s face lit up with a bright smile, and he bumped Akira’s fist gently. “Goodbye, Sir Akira! Safe travels!”

  As Akira turned and began walking toward the horizon, the goblin watched him go, a silent prayer still echoing in his heart.

  Akira walked off into the unknown, the world ahead of him uncertain, but his resolve unwavering.